Vincent Freeman: Jon Laughlin's "The Volcan Wars" (Lone Warrior 116) did not disappoint. It was a gem. I would be interested to find out where I could purchase a copy of the rules "Clash" by Division after Division. If Jon is interested in writing up a book of his battles and campaigns to date or from now on I for one would purchase it. Hopefully Jon will submit articles on a regular basis to Lone Warrior [Campaign report being typed up as we "speak"].

I have recently received Issue 188 Nov 96 of SLINGSHOT which contains new subscription rates as well as a lengthy article on Legion - next years free game for early subscribers. Once again Slingshot is good value for money at £14.50 and thought provoking with the game alone sounds worth that. It has articles on a DBA campaign and a review on Armati rules amongst many others. Thanks for the friendliness that shines through your good job as Editor. Its good to know that there's a lot of other people out there soloing.

[I support your comments on Slingshot and you will note that The Society of Ancients gets a regular mention in Lone Warrior. Had a quick (!) look through MWAN 83 for details ended up asking Rich Barbuto for the address, who came up with: Division after Division, 11107 Finchley Rd, Louisville, KY 40243, USA. Hope you enjoy the boardgames and if you wear your badge at WMMs there's a good possibility you may spot others from the region. Drinks will be had at SKELP. Kenn]

Don Featherstone: After having published some sixty books on military history and wargaming, I am proud and pleased to have my first NOVEL see the light of day. [See review of REDCOATS FOR THE RAJ (ISBN 0 9526861 0 4) at £15.99. Only available from Valda Publishing, 4 Abbey Walk, Church St, Romsey, Hants, SO51 8BU. Tel/Fax: 01794-522202. I think it is likely to be of interest to the sort of lads who read Lone Warrior and I be glad if you can review it in your pages. My wargaming friends have read it seem to find it very enjoyable or maybe they are being kind! Glad that Lone Warrior goes on apace, always as interesting as ever. [North American readers, for a copy of Don's novel, contact George Knapp of Buffalo Books and Services; 29151 195th St.; Leavenworth, KS 66048]

Marvin Scott (Iowa, USA): Congratulations! The North American version of SWA is off and running. You are building a duplicate SWA on this side of the pond. The SWA library is a good idea. I am idly considering donating some of my old magazines etc. My wife would really love the idea, I'm sure. Maybe I'll make a small contribution. If each member of SWA in North America made a donation of one or two books or games, the library would be sizable.

We also have a budding postal game movement. I am playing in two of the games - Volci and Shenandoah. They are both excellent. So often people complain that games lack a "fog of war." Believe me, these games have a fog of war. They also have a period flavor, player character development, and enough surprises to keep players guessing. Both Jon Laughlin and George Arnold are doing an excellent job. I would encourage SWA members who have not tried postal play to give these games a try.

I feel a little guilty that I have not contributed an article yet. Some time in 1997 I plan to rough out some solo scenarios on the Spanish-American War. These should reach you before the centennial of the war. At the moment I am thinking naval games. Be the first on your block to lose the Battle of Manila Bay!

The one thing that is missing in SWA over here is a good running argument or a question we are all chipping in to answer. If we all get active in this, it can be a lot of fun.

Michael Nethercote: I hope to be starting a solo campaign game fairly soon. Will send you front line reports' which you may find useful for Lone Warrior. I usually use a WP on A4 using Courier font in 12 point size is this OK? It only remains to wish you good gaming in 97. [Some good tips for ACW campaigning in this issue and I would be interested in your battle reports. Personally I love them because not only does it add to the contents of Lone Warrior but its great to hear how other members are doing. Thanks to Chris and Graham I can accept articles on either disk or hard copy. I do prefer the disk but please put your name and address on so I can send them back, my record is not 100% but I do try to return them when finished with. Good luck to the boys from Dixie! Kenn]

Henry McLaughlan, 71 Wallace St, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, FK2 7DR: Does anyone know where I can obtain a clear, squared or hexed 'Plastic Overlay' for map movement? If you do please contact me direct, your postage will be repaid.

Rich Barbuto: I keep getting great reports from our two NA PBM gamemasters. George Arnold sent me a sample of the report he sends his members after each turn and it is masterful. Marvin Scott is playing one of the games and tells me he is having a good time. Ken van Pelt tells me that Hal Thinglum sent him numerous back issues of MWAN to add to the NA Library holdings. He has also had a few requests for material so we hope that this area of club services will strike a resonant cord in a few members. [Rich, great to hear things are picking up in NA. Some guy that Hal! Regards to all the guys over the pond. Kenn]

Irving Butler A number of years ago I visited the MEE in London. There was a wargaming table there with computer rules for a Spanish Civil War game. Does any member know if this is still around and available? Please contact me direct. Thanking you for all your efforts on behalf of us all. [See you at SKELP. Kenn]

John Curry: Thank you very much for the loan of the Pony War rules which simulate Hollywood. What was truly interesting was the Reaction Table for the Indians. I will use this for many periods. [So do I]. The Samurai rules were the basis for two very interesting games over Christmas. The Library loan system is wonderful, it is a shame more people don't use it. [Good luck with your PhD and look forward to hearing from you soon. Kenn]

Will Johnson: Just a note to say how much I liked Lone Warrior 117. Thanks for all the hard work. I am writing to say that I, at least, am awake in "readerland" and noticed the column layout in Michael Buttle's article. I would like to say that I prefer the column layout to that of the full page width you usually use in Lone Warrior and would welcome a change to column style in the magazine. I believe it is marginally easier to read, and more pleasant to the eyes for a magazine full of short articles than the full page layout.

However, the attraction of the column layout for me is that I find it easier to refer back to a specific part of an article later, if it is broken up into more easily recognised pieces by the column layout. This is important to me because, not only do I frequently refer back to an interesting article in the days immediately after the arrival of Lone Warrior, but I also keep all my back copies and refer back to them months or years later.

[Will, thanks for the letter. To change from Full to Column takes 6 clicks on this machine and I am willing to go with the flow (majority). If others want it then I will oblige but in the meantime I will slip in a few column type articles to help with your referencing! Kenn]

Shaun McLaughlin: Informs me that The Bunker in York is now open for 1997 games and details are available from him on 01904 705399.

Steve Turner: Just thought you might be able to use the included information for members who are in search of "out of print" books. Members might want to make use of the PBFA to find books they want. I believe they make a charge for their assistance, how much is anyone's guess? Hope it's of use to someone. Provisional Book Fairs Association, The Old Coach House, 16 Melbourn St, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7BZ. Tel: 01763 248400. Fax: 01763 248921. [Steve, thanks for this. Kenn]

Stuart Schoenberger Am looking forward to receiving your disk of the Renaissance campaign rules. [Stuart is preparing to gamemaster a PBM and I am giving him some administrative support. - Rich] Am working to modify the economy rules. You should be receiving a draft on these. I really like them as they provide a simple way of differentiating economies.

I am working on a set of Punic War rules for the last ten or twelve years (actually, more in my head). In preparation, I am collecting various ancient rules and articles. Also before I go to sleep, I spend an hour or two painting Division-after-Division 10 mm Romans. I do not believe that I am ready to paint Carthaginians, and with practise, if you paint enough of the same type, your paint job can improve. Even my first figures are quite good since the amount of detail on these figures is unbelievable.

In closing, I would be interested in corresponding with any person who is either knowledgeable or enthused about the Punic Wars. I am very interested in all the wars, personalities, cultures etc. Does anyone have a breakdown for the type and numbers of troops employed by Syracuse in the first and second Punic Wars? I would be happy to receive speculative as well as researched OOBs. After all, we know that the Punic armies in Spain were different from those in Italy. The question is how?

Kenn: The Forum is starting to move the general direction I want it to in that not only can members air their views, exchange ideas but also ask for and receive help from each other. Don't forget to use the Advisers' Service, I know I always get a good feeling when I get a letter in that capacity plus it builds up wargaming friends. REVIEWS The sheer amount of reviews that flow from the pen, yes they are all hand written, of David Barnes is staggering and unfortunately I do not have the space to include them all in Lone Warrior. This always give me a bit of a conscience twinge but having discussed with David he fully understands my position. At the last count for this edition alone he has submitted 15 reviews! They were: Redoubts 25mm 3 Musketeer range x 3, Wargames Foundry 25mm Prussian Nap & Old West, Baccus 6mm ECW, Qualicast 20mm Ancients, Guernsey Foundry 28mm SYW, Dixons 25mm ACW! All of these do get published, if not in Lone Warrior then in David's regular column in MWAN. If anyone would like a copy please just ask. There is another guy in the "The Scottis Review Team" who does a lot of behind the scenes work and that is Ian "Turbo Type" Duncan - who has the perfect record of never missing a deadline! My thanks to them both. Should also point out that Reviews are welcome from any member who comes across an item/range that they feel would be of interest and benefit to other members. You don't have to be able to draw just send me the details. 4